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Ella Fitzgerald | Essential albums and listening guide
Explore Ella Fitzgerald through Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Cole Porter Song Book. Discover what to listen for and follow related styles to your next record.
Ella Fitzgerald
Meet the artist
“First Lady of Song”. A singer known as a master of scats, and a decisive interpreter of the American Songbook. Clear diction and buoyant rhythm make intricate melodies sound natural.
In scat improvisation, the voice moves with a horn player's freedom. Her composer-centered Song Book recordings also opened American popular songs to a broad audience. She sounds at home in both orchestral settings and intimate groups. Contrasting voices fit together on Ella and Louis, illustrating her ability to illuminate a partner's individuality while keeping the music welcoming.
Where to start listening
Enjoy the melody first, then notice how words settle into the rhythm. Changes in phrasing in response to another voice or instrument offer a useful comparison.
1956Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Cole Porter Song Book
Ella Fitzgerald
It was the first installment in the “Songbook” series, in which Ella Fitzgerald sang songs by Cole Porter. This work established the standards for American standard interpretation.
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1956Ella and Louis
Louis Armstrong / Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong’s vocal duet recording brings fresh character to jazz standards through the conversation between their voices.
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Years follow the Atlas catalogue. Recording dates, original release dates and digital reissue dates may differ.